MALAYSIA

The Food Safety and Quality Division (FSQD) of the Malaysia Ministry of Health has published draft amendment of the Food Regulations for public comments. The proposed amendment include

·         Pre-marketing approval requirement for selected food

According to the draft amendment, Honey and Kelulut honey, Stevia extract and enzymatically modified stevia, Supplemented food and Premix coffee would require pre-marketing approval. The application for approval are to be submitted to the Director and may be valid for 3 years. However, FSQD has not provide information on the registration requirements.

·         Standards for Supplemented Food and Kelulut honey or stingless bee honey.

The proposed amendment provides the definition, hygiene standards, labelling and composition standards. The 2 new standards, when approved will be included in Part VIIIStandards And Particular Labelling Requirements For Food of the Food Regulations.

·         Inclusion of new Schedule on prohibited ingredient for food

The prohibited ingredients listed include Stichopus spp. (gamat) Gypsum Fibrosum, Placenta, Pearl, Bile, Glucosamine, Hyaluronic Acid, Glutathione and Gamma-amino Butyric Acid (GABA)

·         Amendment to Sixteenth Schedule Pesticide Residue

The Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) for some pesticides were revised, for example, the MRL for 2,4 D in sugarcane has been reduced from 3 mg/kg to 0.05 mg/kg.  There are also addition of new pesticides and food categories to the list, for example Methoxyfenozide, which has MRL of 0.5 mg/kg for Chili.

The details of the proposed amendment can be found in the link below. Member of the public who wish to provide feedback should submit their comments latest by 30th September 2018.

http://fsq.moh.gov.my/v6/xs/page.php?id=37